It took 6 years, but we finally have a new ADE album, their 5th, titled Supplicium (‘Punishment’) on a new label, Time To Kill records, and with yet another new lineup. Entering the fray is Hideous Divinity Drummer Edoardo Di Santo (as ‘Atticvs’ here), and Eyeconoclast bassist Gabriele Vellucci.

What hasn’t changed is that ADE continues to be an underrated death metal powerhouse. And while the cheap, easy comparison is still ‘ A Roman version of Nile‘ and is still somewhat relevant, they are simply more than that and should be labeled as a top-notch death metal act on their own merit.

For those new to ADE, first go and get their back catalog now, especially their second effort Spartacus, and  2019s Rise of the Empire, where new vocalist Diocletianvs added a far more commanding, authoritative bellow to the proceedings as well as Stefan Morabito’s (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hour of Penance, etc). killer production. Both return on Supplicium, and the results continue to see ADE become a true international death metal force.

As the album title implies, Supplicium is largely about Rome’s penchant for punishment and cruelty, and debauchery, specifically all of the brutal things the Romans did to folks – both enemies and their own. The Hellenic/ethnic instrumentation is again rife in every track, bringing a savage, elegant, and historical atmosphere to the brutal Italian death metal that, of course, takes cues from peers like Hour of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Vomit the Soul, and Hideous Divinity.

That all said, the album takes a few songs to really kick in, as the first couple of tracks “Avis Dis Pater” (A Roman god of the underworld’), “Burnt Before Gods,” are both fine songs, but my blood isn’t truly pumping until “Ad Bestias!” (‘The Beasts’) and then the fucking rousing “Vinum” ( ‘wine’ – about Rome’s last Bacchanal after the Senate banned them), which might be one of ADE’s finest hours, up there with “Mars’ Unpredictable Favor” from Spartacus.

“Patibulum” (the name for the crossbar on a Crucifix) really imbues truly regal, militant marches and pomp, despite the subject matter, and is another album’s standout before the blistering, and is this case, certainly warranted Nile-sounding “Quartered by Chariots”, which needs no explanation.

The choppy, moodier “Oderint Dum Metuant” (‘Let Them Hate, so long as They Fear’) is a bit too disjointed for me. But then, the burly, tribal percussive assault of “From Fault to Disfigurement” makes me want to fight in a Gladiator’s arena before “Taedium Vivere​” (‘Loathing of Life’) ends the album with a solid number, if not quite the stirring album completion I wanted.

Supplicium is another fine album from ADE, who, 4 (really good) albums in, should start to get a little more well-deserved respect and recognition.

“Fiat justitia ruat caelum”

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